GPD suspends 'hot cop' with pay

The agency has received several complaints about Michael Hamill, one of the officers who went viral during Hurricane Irma.

Deborah Strange @DeborahJStrange

A Gainesville Police Department officer has been suspended with pay after the agency received several complaints against him, GPD said Friday.

Officer Michael Hamill was one of three "hot cops" in a Facebook picture that went viral after Hurricane Irma hit Florida.

The details of GPD's investigation are confidential until it concludes.

A statement from GPD said that several citizens brought information to police administrators' attention "regarding complaints against Officer Michael Hamill" and that "GPD takes these allegations extremely seriously."

GPD is reviewing the allegations and will do so in accordance to Florida law and department policy.

Screenshots of what appeared to be Hamill's personal Facebook page showed anti-Semitic posts, including one that said people who misuse government support should be dealt with "the Hitler way."

GPD spokesman Ben Tobias said the suspension was not a disciplinary action, adding, "It's just part of the internal investigative process."

While he is suspended, Hamill no longer has his police powers.

Tobias said background checks before hiring officers include looking at their social media and involves psychological evaluations.